Past vs Future: 2017 Chevy Bolt vs VW GTI Drag Race

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[GeekTherapyRadio]

I've owned GTi's. Love them.

I currently own a Bolt and an Audi S5 (V8, 6MT).

I'm telling you...the Bolt is savagely quick. I promise that if you underestimate it behind the wheel, you will wind up in the ditch. I've driven a lot of fast cars, but the Bolt was the first in a long time to completely catch me by surprise and make me yell "holy f***" when I pressed the accelerator.

You expect a V8 S5 to be quick. Even a GTI...but no one expects the Bolt to snap your neck. Anybody reading this who has driven or been a passenger in a Bolt knows exactly what I'm talking about.

[thealterego]

Any time you do a race like this you should swap drivers between cars. That helps neutralize the influence of the driver on run times.

[douwekruizenga]

If Chevy made the bolt wider and with a lower roof it would look so much better

[rantanamo]

wow, everyone going out of their way to put the Bolt down

[wfyfwfyf]

Just accept it, EV is the way to go if you want performance (and economy). The Bolt is meant to be a practical electric people mover, first generation no less and it is already being compared to a performance car. Fanboys can make all kinds of excuses but that's like making excuses for getting beat up by a girl. I'm no EV fanboy as I drive a big American V8 car, I'm just a guy who accepts reality.

[givesyouthechills]

The Bolt is heavier, has less HP, not performance oriented at all, not fully charged, and thin ass eco tires, and still wins. HP sells cars, torque wins races. Even with a better driver, a DSG, a Golf R, TDI, or a sea level, it'll still be a close race even if the Bolt loses. And the Bolt is just a family compact car, not even trying to be fast. It just proves electric motors are better than combustion or compression engines. I don't know why people can't accept that. People said the same shit when the 2014 Chevy Spark EV came out with 140 HP and 402 lb/ft torque @ 0 RPM. I mean you can't beat that kinda shit for a non-performance car. EVs are fun for cheap.

[erikstephens]

I see a lot of people making excuses for the GTI. So I thought I would chime in for the Bolt EV. The Bolt EV was also not at maximum power as based on the range number seemed to be at about 50% charge level. I presume Nathan was using sport mode but he didn't seem to be using a nice little launch technique. If you hold the brake and accelerator the Bolt EV will pre-torque the motor to give you an even faster launch. Though that might exceed the traction limit of the tires. Which brings me to my next point. The GTI would have better tires than the low rolling resistance tires on the Bolt EV.

[minivanmaster]

that Bolt looks amazing in that color. such a cute car!!

[daltonthomas]

One of the best things about a Bolt is you could park it anywhere and nobody would try to steal it. My other cars I worry about that whenever I leave home.

[GustavoM]

it would be better if you raced the bolt vs the i3 i still can't figure out why those i3s cost so much

[zacharymartin]

I love the drag racing videos. Keep up the good work!

[aaronz]

All the "engine noise " does not mean anything anymore. In 20 years people will wonder why that noise was considered cool.

[cpufreak]

For everyone saying "Mile above sea level" Don't forget, it had a Turbo, Don't those usually mitigate some effects of less air due to altitude, as, well, a Turbo crams more air in in the first place? also If I can find it again i'll show it, there was this chart I seen once which was comparing performance of turbocharged and non-turbocharged aircraft engines, and If i remember right, the turbo engine didn't have any power loss until several miles up

[wyvern]

One thing to note with the Bolt- state of charge makes a huge difference as lower than 85% it may start to cap max power, motor/battery temp also influences how the power comes in as the Bolt straight off the highway lacks a tiny bit of power.


The best performance is a warm (not hot) battery and a cool motor, for instance on a 85 degree day with a fresh battery and a cool motor this thing will absolutely launch like a rocket.


I gave up my Challenger R/T for a Bolt due to cost of premium fuel- and to be honest, around town and merging onto the highway, the Bolt still offers that kick in your pants I come to expect- and I charge at work for free!


On top of that, it's very nimble due to the built in "drag break" AKA regen on demand that helps lighten up the rear to corner.

[kytsmf]

That is kool, try that race again with a 2014 spark... The bolt was nerfed.

[MartinAlix]

Great video! Hope you test it around a track with some good tires next summer...
Also, worth noting that day in day out, a Bolt smokes a lot of cars off the line in downtown traffic, for about 1.15$ / 100km with zero pollution. LOVE driving that thing! (I miss shifting my old 135i but not in traffic!)

[Trades]

The Bolt is impressively quick. Likely not as fun on a backroad due to its heft but it makes for an excellent commuter and has supremely long legs. Also you can buy one TODAY, not needing to wait until 2019 with a silly reservation.

[FamousAndYouKnowIt]

@1:50 ....That inchworm was faster than BOTH those cars!

[anthonyc]

Would love to see a race between the Bolt and that rolling coal monster diesel pickup from a few days ago, LOL!

[DonGrigorianFishing]

As a Bolt owner…it’s ridiculously quick!